Denver Broncos Hot Topics - Sunday, May 14

Scout.com

05/14/2006

When the Denver Broncos drafted quarterback Jay Cutler in the first round, it not only affected starter Jake Plummer, but it also didn't bode well for Bradlee Van Pelt.

Van Pelt, who spent all of last season as Plummer's backup after
spending his first year on Denver's practice squad, will at some point be
pushed to third on the depth chart. The Broncos would like to keep all
three quarterbacks on the roster, but that's a commitment they have
been unwilling to make in previous years.

The Broncos have spent most of the past three seasons with only two
quarterbacks on the active roster. They might more strongly consider
keeping three this year because Cutler will be a rookie, but Van Pelt
realizes that he'll have an incredibly tough task holding off Cutler for
long.

"This is a big business," Van Pelt said. "Sometimes money talks. Who
are we joking?"

Van Pelt was a seventh-round pick who has great athleticism and made
plenty of strides last season. The Broncos liked Van Pelt's progress,
but not so much that they were going to pass up the chance to draft a
potential franchise quarterback like Cutler.

Van Pelt said he won't give up his spot without a fight, no matter
how steep the odds. Van Pelt, who is popular among most Broncos fans
because of his outgoing personality and his rebellious play at Colorado State in college, will probably see his practice time limited as the team
tries to get Cutler to grasp the offense as quickly as possible.

Van Pelt said he was unfazed because he has plenty of confidence in
his own abilities.

"I have nothing to be worried about," Van Pelt said. "I'm going to
play football for a long time. Whether it's here or somewhere else, I
can't control that."

PLAYER NOTES

--Receiver Javon Walker was happy to secure a five-year contract
extension with the Denver Broncos, which will start after this season.

"We are excited about reaching an agreement that rewards Javon for
being the player he is," Walker's agent, Kennard McGuire, said.

--Denver has a passing camp the week of May 16-19, which will be the
first time Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler can show how much of the
offense he has picked up in the weeks after the draft.

Mike Shanahan's offense is famously complicated and even a veteran
quarterback like Jake Plummer didn't fully grasp all of the intricacies
of it until his third season in Denver.